Cleome plant named ‘Robspifro’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Cleome  plant named ‘Robspifro’, characterized by its upright and compact plant habit; large inflorescences with numerous flowers; white-colored flowers; and tolerance to high temperatures.

Botanical classification/cultivar designation: Cleome hasslerana cultivar Robspifro.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Cleome plant, botanically known as Cleome hasslerana, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Robspifro’.

The new Cleome is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Grain Valley, Mo. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new consistently compact Cleome cultivars.

The new cultivar originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor in 2001 of two unknown selections of Cleome hasslerana, not patented. The cultivar Robspifro was discovered and selected by the Inventor in July, 2002 as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled environment in Grain Valley, Mo.

Asexual reproduction of the new Cleome by tip cuttings at Grain Valley, Mo. since 2002, has shown that the unique features of this new Cleome are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Robspifro’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Robspifro’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Upright and compact plant habit.     -   2. Large inflorescences with numerous flowers.     -   3. White-colored flowers.     -   4. High temperature tolerant.

Plants of the new Cleome can be compared to plants of the parental selections. Compared to plants of the parental selections, plants of the new Cleome are more compact.

Plants of the new Cleome can be compared to plants of the seed-propagated Cleome Queen series, not patented. Compared to plants of the Queen Series, plants of the new Cleome are more compact and have larger inflorescences.

Plants of the new Cleome can also be compared to plants of the seed-propagated Cleome Sparkler series, not patented. Compared to plants of the Sparkler Series, plants of the new Cleome are more uniform in plant growth habit and flower coloration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Cleome, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Cleome.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a side perspective view of typical plants of ‘Robspifro’.

The photograph at the top of the sheet is a close-up view of typical plants of ‘Robspifro’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Cleome has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The aforementioned photographs, following observations and measurements describe plants grown in Grain Valley, Mo. in an outdoor nursery during the summer and under commercial production practices. During the day, temperatures averaged 32° C. and night temperatures averaged 24° C. Plants were about five months old when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 1995 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Cleome hasslerana cultivar Robspifro. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Unknown selection of Cleome             hasslerana, not patented.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Unknown selection of Cleome             hasslerana, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Tip cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About one week at 27° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant.—About 12 days at 24°             C.         -   Root description.—Freely branching; fibrous; white to brown             in color. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant form/growth habit.—Compact plant habit; upright plant             form. Strong and erect stems. Moderately vigorous growth             habit. Plants not freely branching.         -   Plant height.—About 70 cm.         -   Plant width.—About 20 cm.         -   Stem description.—Length: About 70 cm. Diameter: About 6 mm.             Internode length: About 1.3 cm. Strength: Strong. Angle:             Upright. Texture: Pubescent; viscid. Color: Close to 144A.         -   Foliage description.—Leaves palmately compound with about             five leaflets per leaf. Leaflet length: About 3.75 cm.             Leaflet width: About 1 cm. Leaflet shape: Lanceolate to             ovate. Leaflet apex: Acute. Leaflet base: Attenuate. Leaflet             margin: Entire. Leaflet texture, upper and lower surfaces:             Slightly pubescent; viscid. Fragrance: Pungent. Leaflet             venation pattern: Pinnate. Leaflet color: Developing             leaflets, upper surface: 138A. Developing leaflets, lower             surface: 138B. Fully expanded leaflets, upper surface: 137C.             Fully expanded leaflets, lower surface: 137D. Venation,             upper and lower surfaces: Similar to lamina. Leaf petiole:             Length: About 2.4 cm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Texture, upper             and lower surfaces: Pubescent. Color, upper and lower             surfaces: Close to 144A. -   Flower description:     -   -   Flower type and habit.—Numerous single flowers arranged on             large terminal racemes. Flowers persistent. Flowers face             upright and outwardly. Flowers not fragrant.         -   Natural flowering season.—Plants flower in the landscape             from May until frost in Grain Valley, Mo.; during this             period flowering recurrent.         -   Postproduction longevity.—Flowers typically last about one             to two weeks on the plant.         -   Flower buds.—Height: About 2 cm. Diameter: About 8 mm.             Shape: Ovoid. Color: 155C.         -   Inflorescence height.—About 10 cm.         -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 20 cm.         -   Flowers.—Diameter: About 4 cm. Depth: About 2.5 cm.         -   Petals.—Quantity per flower: About four in a single whorl.             Length: About 2 cm. Width: About 1.25 cm. Shape: Obovate.             Apex: Obtuse to acute. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire.             Texture, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color:             Developing, upper and lower surfaces: 155C. Fully expanded,             upper and lower surfaces: 155C.         -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower: Five. Length: About 5 mm.             Width: About 1 mm. Shape: Lanceolate. Apex: Sharply acute.             Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Texture, upper and lower             surfaces: Smooth. Color, upper surface: Close to 138A.             Color, lower surface: Close to 138B.         -   Pedicels.—Length: About 1.3 cm. Diameter: Less than 1 mm.             Orientation: Initially erect, then horizontal. Strength:             Strong. Color: Close to 144A.         -   Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Quantity per flower: About             eight. Anther shape: Oblong. Anther length: Less than 1 mm.             Filament length: About 4.4 cm. Filament color: 155C. Pollen             amount: Not observed. Pistils: Quantity per flower: One.             Pistil length: About 4.7 cm. Stigma shape: Rounded. Style             length: About 4.5 cm. Style color: 157A. Ovary color: Close             to 144A.         -   Fruit.—Length: About 1 cm. Diameter: About 1.5 mm. Color:             Close to 144A. -   Pathogen/pest resistance: Plants of the new Cleome have not been     observed to be resistant to pests and pathogens common to Cleomes. -   Garden performance: Plants of the new Cleome have been observed have     good garden performance and to tolerate rain, wind and temperatures     ranging from 10 to 41° C. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Cleome plant named ‘Robspifro’, as illustrated and described. 